Weighing-machine



6 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

P. H. RICHARDS. WEIGHING MACHINE.

Patented June 2, 1896.

fn venters Win 63393 (No Model.) Y a sheets-sheet 2. P. H. RICHARDS.

WEIGHING MAQHINE. No. 561,521. Patented June 2, 1896.

Winesses: n 0672 lr:

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3. Tu e w m s t e e h S 6 s@ D Rm nu AA HM C IG Rm .H Hm 4 .E PW m. d 0M 0 m No. 561,521. Patented June 2, 1896.

Inventor.'

Wilt Messes' 6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

P. H. RICHARDS. WBIGHING MACHINE.

Patented June 2, 1896.

Illu

Witnesses; [nveon/ ANDREW BRANAM. PHVOTOUYHQWASHINGTONJ C (No Modelu.) 6Sheets-Sheet b F. H. RICHARDS. WEIGHING MACHINE.

No. 561,521. Patented June 2, 1896.

nve for;

Witnesses.-

ANDREW BLRAHAM. PHOTOLTTHQWASNINGTUN. D C

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTIC".

WElGHlNG-NIACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 561,521, dated June 2,1896. Application filed November 2l, 1895. Serial No. 569,627. (Nomodel.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inVeighing-Machin es, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to weighing-machines, the object being to providean improved weighing-machine particularly adapted for weighing lumpy andsluggish materials, the present improvements embodying, in part, apower-driven variable-speed feeder for feeding or forcing a stream ofmaterial of variable volume to the bucket of the machine.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this application,Figure-1 is a plan view of a weighing-machine embodying my presentimprovements. Fig. 2 is a front elevation ol' the machine Fig. 3 is anend elevation seen from the left invFigfl and illustrating the machineat the commencement of operation. Fig. t is an end elevation seen f romthe right in Fig. 2 and illustrating' the machine in a positioncorresponding with the preceding figure. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of apart of the machine and illustrates in section a form of speed-converterfor varying the speed of the feeder. Fig. G is a view similar to Fig. 4and illustrates the position of the machine succeeding that illustratedby Fig. at. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 and illustrates themachine in a position corresponding with Fig. 8. Fig. 8 lis a viewsimilar to Figs. '1- and (3 and illustrates the position of the machineat the close of an operation and just preceding the discharge of the bucket-load. the line 9 9, Fig. l0, and illustrates, on a larger scale,the speed-converter shown in Figs. 5 and 7. Fig. 10 is a face view ofthe speed-converter with the face or front plate thereof removed tobetter illustrate its internal nfechanism. Fig. 11 is an elevation seenfrom the left in Figs. +L, G, and S of the speedconverter. Fig. 12 is aview similar to Fig. 10, showing the face or front plate of the devicein position. Figs. 13, 14, 15, and 1U are enlarged details of a form ofpiston or slide valve and its seat or casing.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures of thedrawings.

Fig. 9 is a central section on For convenience in illustrating thenature and purpose of my present improvements these are shown applied tothe improved weighing-machine disclosed by Letters Patent No. 548,8et0,granted to me October 29, 1895, and the weighing-machine so illustratedwill be briefly described, but with sul'iicient particularity to clearlyshow the operation of my present improvements. It will be understood,however, that I do not limit the application of the present improvementsto any particular form or type of weighing-machine.

The framework for carrying the operative parts of the weighing-machinemay be of any suitable construction, and is shown in the drawingscomprising two side frames or uprights 2 and a, mounted upon a chamberedsupporting-base 3 and connected by a top plate 5. The top plate 5 isillustrated carrying a hopper H, (hereinafter more particularlydescribed,) which will be secured thereto in some suitable manner, suchas by the tie-plate 5. (Shown attached, respectively, to the top plate 5and to the suppl y-ch utc or hopper H.)

The base 3 of the machine is illustrated provided with beam-supports, asV'- shaped bearings 2O and 20', for supporting the beam mechanism, whichlatter carries the bucket mechanism consisting of the bucket and itsoperative devices. l

As a means for supporting the bucket or load-carrying receptacle,(designated in a general way by G,) a pair of oppositely-disposedcounterweighted beams are shown at l) and B, respectively, pivotallymounted on the beam-supports 2O and 20 by means of the pair of pivots orknife-edges 2J: and the oppositely-disposed pair of pivots orknife-edges 2t and having bucket-supports located intermediate of saidbeamsupports, these bucket-supports being illust-rated as two remotely-disposed pairs of pivots or knife-edges 15 and 15 and 1'7 and 17'.

Each of the scale-beams B and B is shown in the drawings having a pairof beam-arms joined by a combined connecting-shaft and counterpoise, thecounterpoise for the beam B being designated by 1V and that for the beamB' being designated by XV.

The bucket G is pivotally mounted on the oppositely-disposed scale-beamsand is shown herein having V-shaped bearings 1G, corresponding in numberand position with the knife-edges l5 and l5 and 17 and 1.7', and saidbearings 1G are illustrated carried by the hangers 555, secured to eachend of the bucket G.

rlhe machine will have the usual poising and counterpoising mechanisms.All that part of the beam mechanism located outside of the knife-edges24 and 2l constitutes the counterpoising mechanism of the machine, andall that part of the beam mechanism located between said knife-edges,including the bucket mechanism which is supported by the beam mechanismfor ascending and descending movements therewith, constitutes thepoising mechanism of the machine.

The bucket mechanism embodies two members, one of which is shiftablerelatively to the other for discharging the bucket-load, and thebucket-closer L is illustrated constituting the shiftable member of thebucket mechanism.

The bucket-closer L is shown provided with a pair of counterweightedplates 7 9, preferably formed integral therewith for returning saidcloser to its closed position. The closer is also shown pivoted at 77 tothe lower side of the bucket G and adjacent to one side of thedischarge-opening thereof.

As a means for supportin g the bucket-closer an inverted toggle is shownconnecting the closer and the bucket. This toggle connection is sopositioned as to be engaged by a closer-latch. In the form of toggleillustrated this comprises a suitable rocker, such as 550, pivotedadjacent to the upper rearward side of the bucket G and having a longconnecting-rod 596 pivoted to said rockerand also to the closer in sucha manner that when the closer is shut the two pivots of said connectingrod or member will be nearly in line with, and the upper of said pivotswill be above, the rocker-pivot, whereby when the rocker is engaged bythe bucket-closer latchl and held in that position the closer will besupported with a minimum pressure in the latch, as practically all ofthe weight of the bucket contents will be carried on the pivot 550 ofthe rocker. The closer-latch for locking the rocker in position when thecloser is shut (designated by S2) is shown pivoted at 87 to the bucket Gand as having a detent or stop in position for engaging a cooperatingdetent on the toggle (herein shown as the det-ent 550", carried by therocker 550) when the parts are in the closed position previouslydescribed.

The bucket-closer latch 82 is shown counterweighted, and will be limitedin its movement toward the detent of the toggle connection by means ofsuitable stops. It will be noticed that as illustrated the closer-latch82 swings upward to engage the rocker-detent 550", and it will beevident that said latch 82 will be released by a downward movement orpressure. Then the latch is follow.

released, the weight of material in the bucket supported by the closeris effective for instantly opening said closer.

In weighing granular and similar materials it is customary and necessaryin any suecessfully-operating machine to provide for a drip-stream,which iiows into the partiallyloaded bucket, its purpose being tocomplete the bucket-load. Various methods are employed for securing thisdrip-stream. One well-known method is by the employment of two valvesfor controlling the supply-stream, which flows from a supply-chute orhopper and into the bucket, one of these valves or the largerconstituting a reducing-valve and the other constituting a cut-offvalve. The reducing-valve during the descent of the bucket graduallycloses, and by reducing the size of the discharge-orifice of thesupplychute or hopper consequently reduces the volume of thesupply-stream to a drip-stream. The drip-stream, commencing to flow atthe commencement of the poising period, continues to iiow into thebucket until the load therein is completed, when the cut-off valve isoperated for cutting off the d rip-stream.

Another well-known method for securing the drip-stream is by theemployment of a single valve, which combines in one valve the functionsof these reducing and cut-off valves. This single valve has twomovements-a reducing movement, reducing the size of thedischarge-orifice, as does the reducing-valve above mentioned, followedby a corresponding reduction in the volume in the drip-stream. At thecommencement of the poising period this valve is held against furtherclosing movement by proper means to permit the drip or .reduced streamto iiow into the partially-loaded bucket, and when the bucket-load iscompleted the valve is released, and is thereby operative for cuttingoff the drip-stream.

lVhile excellent results are obtained by the above-mentioned and othertypes of valve mechanisms in weighing 'free-running materials, it hasbeen found, after experiments in weighing very coarse, lumpy, andsluggish materials, to be impossible to secure a satisfactorydrip-stream, and as this is a very important factor it is apparent thatfailing to secure this stream disastrous results must For example, whenweighing lumpy materials, such as coal, and a more than ordinaril ylarge lump in the mass descends this cannot pass through the reducedopening of the supply-chiite, thus causing a blocking in thesupply-chute and consequently a stoppage of the machine until thedifficulty is removed by hand. The same disadvantageous results arepresent in weighing sluggish materials of various characters, as duringthe drip period such materials always clog and block in the chute, notbeing able to flow through the reduced chute-opening.

My improved machine embodies as a part thereof a variable-speed feederand auto- ICO IIO

matically-operable means for regulating or changing the speed of saidfeeder.

rlhe feeder or feeding device (designated in a general way by F)positively feeds or forces a stream of material from the chute II intothe bucket. At the commencement of each operation of the machine thefeeder or feeding device will have a relatively great or acceleratedspeed, which will be progressively decreased or reduced at proper pointsor intervals in the descent of the bucket. It will be apparent, then,that the volume of the supply-stream is variable, being much larger atthe commencement of the operation of the machine and gradually7decreasing' as the bucket descends.

The feeder will be preferably rotary, and the form of feeder shownconsists of a pair of rolls operatively connected by a belt or apron,which extends a proper distance beyond the front, rear, and end walls ofthe supply-chute, so as to prevent accidental escape of any of thematerial from the chute. I wish it understood, however, that theinvention is not limited to the particular form rof feeder or feedingdevice shown, as it is obvious that other equally efficacious forms offeeders may be substituted for that illustrated without departing fromthe scope of my invention.

One of the rolls or members of the feeder or feeding device Fconstitutes the driving or power roll and will be operatively connectedwith suitable driving mechanism or a motor, and the other roll will bedriven by said power-roll.

The supply-chute II is illustrated carrying hangers or brackets 50 and30 and 3l and 3l', provided with suitable journal-openings for receivingthe ends of the shafts of the two rolls. The power or driving roll isillustrated at 32 and the complementaryroll of the feeder at 33, and theaxes of these rolls will be located slightly in advance of the frontwall and to the rear wall of the supply-chute II. The rolls and 33, ashereinbefore stated, will be operatively connected by a belt or apron,as Si, which may be of any suitable material-as, for example, canvas orleather.

The front wall of the supply-chute II is shown provided with a streamdischarge opening or orifice, extending from end wall to end wallthereof and of a height to freely permit the passage therethrough of anylarge lumps that may bein the mass. The path of movement of the belt Siis indicated by the arrowT in Fig. 3. It will be apparent that when saidbelt moves in the direction indicated a wide stream of material will befed into the bucket, and that when the belt is at rest it will act as asupport for the mass in the chute.

Means will be provided for regulating the height of the stream openingor orifice of the supply-chute or hopper II, and the means shownconsists of a verticallyslidable plate or gate 35, which will be mountedfor sliding movement in slideways or grooves 35", formed for feeding orforcing` the stream of material by the belt into the bucket G.

A speed-modifier or speed-modif yin g device is shown for graduallyvarying the feeding movement of the feeder or feeding' device F atsuccessive points in the operation of the machine.

I wish it also understood that I do not limit the invention to theparticular form of speedmodifier, that shown bein g substantiallysimilar to the one described and claimed in my application, filedcontemporaneously herewith, Serial No. 569,626.

The speed modifier will preferably be placed between a driving mechanismand the feeder, and the former will be continuously operative', so thatas the speed of the feeder is successively varied movement of thedriving mechanism will not be stopped, but will continue uninterrupted.

The speed-modifier (designated in a general way by S) is illustratedlocated between and cooperative, respectively, with the feeder and withthe driving mechanism, and motion will be imparted by the latter to thefeeder through the agency of the speed-modifier- The speedmodier shownis in the form of a Huid-operated controlling device or governor, fluidbeing employed as a brake for checking the movement of the internalmechanism of the speed-modiiier, and for this purpose any suitable fluidmay be employedfor example, ordinary lubricating oil, with which verysatisfactory results have been obtained.

The speed modifier shown involves, in part, pressure and storagecompartments and planet-gearing, comprising fast and movable members orpinions. The first-mentioned pinion will be carried by the shaft of thedriving-roll of the feeder, and the loose pinion or planet-gear will bemovable and will have its rotative movements checked by the pressure ofthe fluid in the pressure-compartment, the fiow of the fluid from saidpressurecompartment to the storage-compartment of the speed-modifiergradually reducing this pressure, causing a slowing down in rotativemovement of the planet-pinion and consequent reduction in speed of thefeeder F.

The shaft 32 of the main roll of the feeder F is shown extending somedistance beyond the side frame 2 and bearing therein and is also shownhollow, the purpose of which will be hereinafter apparent. The shaft 32is shown carrying a loose pulley atl, provided interiorly thereof withthe speed-reducing apparatus, and said shaft is also shown car- ICO IOS

IIO

ISO

rying a pinion 40,which constitutes the driven or fixed pinion of theplanet-gearing hereinbefore mentioned. This pinion will be secured tothe shaft in some well-known manner, and will mesh with a normallymovable pinion or planet-gear 42, constituting a driving-pinion, whichis also located within the pulley 4l and against which latter thepressure of the fiuid in the high-pressure compartment acts, and bypreventing the movement or rotation of the loose pinion makes thelatter, for the time being, a fixed pinion, whereby it will be effectivefor imparting rotative movement to the driven pinion or sungear andthrough the latter to the feeding device for feeding the stream ofmaterial into the bucket. As the pressure in the pressurecompartment isgradually reduced, due to the passage of the fluid from the pressure tothe storage compartment, the checking influence of the fluid isgradually removed, permitting a slipping movement orslowing down of thedriving-pinion, followed by a corresponding reduction in rotation of thefixed pinion 40, and hence the movements of the feeder or feeding deviceF. Then the pressure in these two compartments is equal or balances, thedrivingpinion will be perfectly free to again rotate, and when rotatingit cannot impart motion to the pinion 40, the result being a stoppage ofthe feeder F.

The pulley 4l is illustrated operatively connected with a motor ordriving mechanism, and a belt is illustrated passing around said pulley4l, and also around the power or drive wheel 44 (see Fig. 2) of somesuitable motor. (Not shown.)

The pulley 4l has been described as operating a pair of members orpinions, one of which is fixed to the feeder-shaft, and hence isoperative therewith and also with the feeder, and the other avariable-speed or movable pinion, which, when held against movement inthe manner described, is operative through the driving mechanism forimparting variable motion to the feeder or feeding device F.

The pulley 4l is shown embodying a back plate 45 and an annular wall45', joined thereto, and a removable front or face plate 4G, secured tosaid wall 45 by means of screws or other fastening devices, said walland plates forming an interior fluid-chamber, and .this chamber beingadapte-d for containing the operative parts and controlling device ofthe speed-reducing means. The front and back plates, respectively, ofthe pulley 4l are shown provided with journal-openings for the receptionof the opposite ends of the shaft 42 of the driving-pinion. The interiorchamber or compartment of Athe pulley 4l is subdivided into two chambersor compartments, constituting, respectively, the pressure and storagecompartments hereinbefore mentioned.

The fluid employed for controlling the movement of the pinion 42 will bemaintained in circuit form. Starting at the commencement of eachoperation of the machine from the pressure-compartment it will slowlyfiow therefrom into the storage-compartment, a valve being illustratedas employed for regulating and controlling this flow of the uid. As thefluid flows or leaks from the pressurecompartment to the storagecompartment the pressure of the fluid against the pinion 42 will begradually decreased, permitting a gradual reduction in rotative movementof the movable pinion 42 until the pressure in these two compartments isequal, when the pinion 42 will be free to rotate, and will thereby beineffective for imparting movement to its mate or driven pinion 40,causing, consequently, a stoppage of the feeder movements. Then thebucket G has reached its normal position, the normal capacit-y orpressure of the pressure-chamber will have been restored in a mannerhereinafter described, when. this operation will be repeated.

The interior chamber of the pulley 4l is subdivided by a bifurcatedpartition 47, between the branches of which the two pinions will rotate.This partition 47, transversely intersecting the chamber of the pulley4l, forms two separated compartments, the one constituting apressure andthe other a storage compartment. The two pinions 40 and 42 will rotatebetween the branches of the partition, and the inner faces of thesebranches are shown circular, the are defining said faces being struckfrom the axes of the two pinions, so that the teeth of said pinions,when rotating, will have a rubbing contact with said curved faces andwill also tightly mesh to prevent the passage of the fluid in any otherthan the desired manner. To also insure the proper fiow of the fluid theouter faces of these two pinions will have a rubbing contact with theinner faces of the back and front plates of the pulley.

T he high pressure compartment of the speed-modifier is designated by aand the storage-compartment by l), and the branches 47' and 4'7" of thepartition or wall 47 are each shown provided with ports 4G' and 4G".(See Fig. lO.) It will be assumed that the pulley 4l is rotating in thedirection of the arrow, Fig. l0, and that the fluid-chamber thereof doesnot contain any fluid. On the rotation of the pulley 4l the movablepinion 42 will revolve about the axis of the pulley, and meshing withthe pinion 40 will be rotated about its axis in a direction reverse oropposite to the direction of rotation of the pulley 4l.. A fluid beingintroduced into the pressure-compartment a and fiowing through the portin the branch 47 and its pressure acting against the teeth of the pinion42, effectually blocks or prevents the rotation of the pinion 42, makingit for the time being a fixed pinion, so that on the rotation of thepulley by the driving mechanism said pinion will then be effective fordriving or rotating the pinion 40 and through the latter the feeder F.As the pressure in the high-pressure compartment IOO IIO

decreases areduction in rotative movement of the pinion 42, due to thedecreased pressure, is caused, and hence the movement of the feeder Fwill be correspondingly decreased, and when the pressure in these twocompartments is equal or balances the pinion t2 will again be free torotate or move, and consequently will be ineffective as apowertransmitting factor.

As a means for controlling or regulating the flow of the fluid from thehigh to the low pressure compartment a valve will preferably beemployed, and for this purpose I prefer to employ a balancedslide-valve, whereby the action of the same is rendered absolutelypositive and the power necessary to actuate the same is minimized.

The wall or partition t7, which separates the high and the low pressurecompartments, is shown having a relatively wide portion 49, providedwith'a circular conduit or opening' ttl', through which the tluid passesfrom the pressure to the storage compartment, and the flow or leakage ofwhich is regulated by the fluid controlling valve 52 mentioned. Thisrelatively wide portion 49 of the partition yt7 is provided with asocket transversely disposed relative to the bore therein, which isadapted for receiving the valve-casing or cylinder of thefluid-controlling valve. This valve-casing' is illustrated at 50,(detailed in Fig. 15,) having an open end.

The wall of the valve-casing 50 is shown provided, at diametricall yopposite sid es thereof, with two ports, one an induction-port and theother an eduction-port, and both of which are illustrated,cachcommunicatin g with the bore or conduit 45) of the portion -ll of thepartition 47. The induction-port ofthe valve-casing is illustrated at50' and the eduction-port at 50", and the il uid flowing from thepressure-compartment a passes through the port 50, through thevalve-cylinder 50, and out of the port 50", and thence into thestorage-coinpartmcnt b. These ports 50 and 50 are illustrated as taperedopenings, the peculiar function of which will now be described. Thevalve,also termed a fluid-controlling valve, for regulating the flow ofthe fluid from the high to the low pressure compartment, is illustratedat 52, and is in the nature of a balanced piston-valve, and will have areciprocative movement in the valve-casing, and the movements of saidvalve will be controlled by some movable part of the machine. At thecommencement of the operation the valve 52 will close the ports 50' and50, thereby preventing the passage of oil from the higli-pressurecompartment, and it will be evident that this flow being prevented bythe valve (see Fig. Si) the pressure of the fluid in thepressurecompartment. a, acting against the pinion t2, holds said pinionagainst rotative movement in the manner hereinbet'ore described, wherebyit may rotate the pinion t0. As the bucket descends the valve 52 will bepushed inwardly Or opened, partially opening the tapered ports 50' and50, permitting a stream of fluid of very small volume to iiow or leakfrom the high to the low pressure con'ipartment and a reduction in speedof the feeder F. On the further inward or opening movement of the valve52, due to the farther descent of the bucket G, a larger stream willflow through said ports, and a reduction of the blocking influence ofthe fluid on the pinion 42 being the result, said pinion will graduallyslip and the feeder consequently will materially slow down. At thecommencement of the poisin g period the pressure in thepressure-compartment will have been considerably reduced, being butlittle more than that in the storagecompartment, thus causing a materialreduction in speed of the feeder movement, and hence a materialreduction in volume of the fed or forced stream. This reduced streamconstitutes the drip-stream.

Suitable means,to be hereinafter described, are employed for controllingthe duration of flow of the drip-stream, the means employed holding thevalve 52 against further inward movement and releasing the same at theclose of the poising period. Being in this position, the pressure in thepressure-compart-ment is instantly reduced until it approximates that inthe storage-compartment, when the pinion 42 will be free to rotate andwill be ineffective as a power-transmitting medium, consequentlystopping the feeder F. It will be assumed that the pressure in the twoconipartments is equal, the feeder having been stopped, and it will beremembered also that the pulley al is continuously rotative. It will beassumed also that -the bucket has discharged its load, has ascended, andis again in its normal or stream-receiving position. The part thatpushed the valve 52 inwardly to permit the flow of thegradually-increasing stream from the high-pressure compartment quicklycloses the ports 50 and 50 during the ascent of the bucket, so that saidports are closed when the buckethas reached its normal position. Thepressure in the two compartments being equal and the pulley rotating inthe direction of the arrow l, Fig. l0, and the valve being closed, Fig.9, the pinion, rotating in the direction of the arrow 2,will suck ordraw the fluid through the port 6" in the branch 47 of the partition,and each tooth of the pinions-these rotating, it will be understood, inopposite direction s-will carry a small portion of the fluid from thestorage-compartment to be discharged into the pressure-coinpartmentthrough the port JEU in the branch t7 of the partition, thereby creatingor restoring the pressure in the pressure-compartment a to its normalcapacity and decreasing that of the compartment l); but a partialrotation of the pulley 4l is necessary to again create an excess ofpressure in the compartment a, so that when the bucket has reached itsstream-receiving position the peculiar checking action of the fluidagainst the pinion 42 may be again exerted.

IOO

fc5 u ITO The valve-cylinder 50 is shown provided with a stuffing-box54, having a central bore to permit of the entrance of the valve-stem 55of the valve 52. This valve-stem 55 will be operatively connected withsome movable part of the weighing mechanism for sliding the same in andout to either open or close the ports 50 and 50 to permit or prevent theflow of the fluid from the pressure to the storage compartment of thespeed-modiiier S.

The valve-body is shown having a reduced portion 52@ about which thefluid .flows when passing from the high to the low pressure compartment.The valve 52 is also shown provided, in the portion 56 thereof, with asingle bore, and in the portion 56' with branch bores which communicatetherewith. (See dotted lines in Fig.13.) The valve-cylinder 50 is shownprovided with an opening 50'", which communicates with the conduit 52H,which also communicates with the storagecompartment b, and fluid willflow through the conduit 52" from the low-pressure compartment b andinto the cylinderl 50 through the opening 50" in the cylinder, andthence through the bores of the valve, so that there will be maintainedat each end of the valve a body of fluid, each of which, on thereciprocative movements of the valve, balances the other and insures aneven movement of the valve from one to the other of its positions.

The back plate 45 of the pulley 41 is shown provided with a longitudinalproj eeting portion GO, in which t-he feeder-shaft 3.,' rotates,accidental escape of oil being prevented by the stuffing-box 60, whichis provided for this purpose. The face-plate 46 of the pulley is alsoshown provided with a projecting portion 57, having a closed end, andthis serves effectually as a means for preventing escape of the fluidfrom that side of the pulley. The projecting portion 57 serves as asupport for a slidable clutch member 5S, which, by means of the integralarm 5S' thereof, is illustrated operatively connected with thevalve-stem 55, and this slidable member 58 is also illustratedoperatively connected with a movable part of the machine7 and as alsorotative with the pulley 4l, so that when the slidable member 5S ismoved in one direction the valve 52 will open the ports in the cylinder50 to permit the flow of oil from the pressure to the storagecompartment, and when slid in the opposite direction the valve 52 willclose said ports to prevent the return flow of the fluid therethroughfrom the storage into the pressure compartment.

It will be remembered that the feeder-supporting shaft 32' has beendescribed as hollow. This feeder-shaft 32 will communicate with thestorage-compartment b, and if from any cause the fluid employed shouldescape fluid sufficient to compensate for that escaped may flow throughthe hollow shaft and into the said storage-compartment 5 and be fromthere sucked or drawn into the pressure-compartm ent a by the rotationof the pinions 40 and 42, thereby maintaining an even pressure at alltimes in the pressure-compartment a. A fluid-cup is illustrated at 59,having a small tube 59 in its bottom, adapted to be inserted in andcommunicate with the conduit of the shaft 32. The cup or receptacle 59also has a removable screw-threaded cap, which may be removed when it isdesired to replenish the same with fluid.

A small'port is illustrated at 59, and this will communicate with thebore of the hollow shaft, the iiuid passing from said bore through theport 59" and into the compartment h, from whence it may be sucked ordrawn into the pressure-compartment a.

It will be remembered that the feeder or feeding device has beendescribed having a variable feeding movement for feeding` or forcing thesupply-stream into the bucket G and that its speed is progressivelydecreased at proper points in the descent of the bucket. During thefirst part of the operation a stream of relatively large volume will befed or forced into the bucket, the volume of the supply-stream beinggradually reduced until this is brought to a drip-stream.

A valve also termed a stream-controlling valve7 is preferably employedfor catching the last portion of the supply-stream, which is then in theform of a drizzle or very fine stream and the valve for this purpose isillustrated at and is substantially similar to the improved valvedescribed and claimed in Letters Patent No. 435,727, granted to me March12, 1895. This valve, during the gradual reduction of the stream, has aslow closing movement and will act as a chute to direct thesupply-stream into the bucket during the stream-reducing period, untilat the close of the poising period-that is, on the completion of thebucket-load-this valve will be given an accelerated forward or closingmovement intersecting the line of flow of the reduced stream and cuttingofi' the same.

The valve 70 is shown as an oscillatory valve pivotally supported foroscillatory movement between the arms or brackets (i and G', projectingfrom the top plate 5 of the machine. As a means for opening the valve,the mechanism disclosed and claimed in Letters Patent No. 548,342,granted to me October 29, 1895, will preferably be employed, and saidmechanism will be briefly described.

The valve '70 is illustrated provided with a relatively longconnecting-rod 55S to the rear of the pivot thereof, which projectsdownward and is in position to be engaged by a valve-opening actuatorfor imparting a thrust to said rod 55S for openingthe valve 70.

The scale-beam B is illustrated provided with a supplementalcounterpoise, which normally forms a part of the counterpoisingmechanism, but is shiftable therefrom and onto the poising mechanism ofthe machine at a predetermined point in the movement of the bucket, andon the return thereof to its lOO IIO

normal position this supplemental counterpoise is effective for openingthe valve 70, through the rod 558. This supplemental counterpoise isillustrated at 551 and pivoted to the beam B at 551', the weight 551normally exerting its force on the counterpoisin g side of said beam.Hence it will be evident that the valve-opening actuator is in thenature of a counterweighted lever carried by the beam mechanism of themachine. This supplemental counterpoise, falling from under theconnecting-rod 558,also permits a closing movement by the valve-closingactuator, which is illustrated as a counterweighted lever 504.

As a means for closing the valve the mechanism disclosed and claimed inLetters Patent No. 548,842, granted to me October 20, 1805, willpreferably be employed, and said mechanism will now be brieflydescribed.

A valve-closing cam is illustrated at 500, having two faces, (shown,respectively, at 501 and 502,) thelatter being of relatively greaterpower than the former. A lever is illustrated at 504, pivoted at 504 tothe side frame 2. This lever is shown having an antifrictionroll 500 inposition to engage the cam-surfaces 501 and 502. Said lever is shownalso provided with a weight 507 at the end thereof opposite to thatprovided with the roll 500, and said wei ght,exertin g an upwardtendency forward of the pivot of the lever, tends, by the riding of theantifriction-roll 50G over the cam-faces 501 and 502, to close saidvalve. The antifriction-roll 500 during the reducing period of theoperation of the machine is on the face 501 of the cam 500, the effectbeing a very slow closing movement of the valve 70. At the commencementof the poising' period, the valve being held against further closingmovement to permit the flow of the drip or reduced stream into thebucket, the roll 500 will be about at the intersection of the cam-faces501 and 502. The valve 70 being released, said roll 500, leaving thecamface 501 and entering the cam-face 502 of relatively greater`efficiency than the former, is effective, through the weight 507, forinstantly closing the valve 70, thereby catching the drizzle or lastpart of the drip-stream.

It will be remembered that a fluid-controlling valve 52 has beendescribed for regulating or controlling the flow of the fluid from thepressure to the storage compartment of the speed-modifier, and that themovements of said valve have been described as controlled by somemovable part of the machine, and for controlling' the movements of thefluidcontrolling valve 52 I prefer to employ the descendingvalve-closing lever 504.

The projecting portion 57 of the face-plate 4G of the pulley 41 is shownprovided with a slidable clutch member 58, which has been described asoperatively connected with the fluid-eontrollin g valve 52. Thisslidable member will also be operatively connected with thevalve-closing actuator, so that as the streamcontrolling valve 70closes, the fluid-controlling valve will be opened to permit thereduction in pressure of the high-pressure compartment, and hence whenthe pressures in these two compartments are equal the stoppage of thefeeder or feeding device F will follow. It will be evident then that thestreamcontrolling valve 70 has its closing movement during the openingmovement of the fluidcontrolling valve 52.

The slidable member 58 is shown provided with a peripheral groove orchannel 58X, in which are seated the connected straps G6 and 00', andthe support for said slidable member 58 is shown provided with a stop,as 58, for limiting the outward movement of said member 58.

The valve-closing lever 504 is shown provided with a socket 504l at apoint relatively adjacent to the center of movement 504 thereof, whichsocket is adapted to receive the ball end G5 of the actuating-lever 05of the fluid-controlling valve 52. This actuatinglever is shownbifurcated, and the branches thereof are adapted to be pivotally securedto the straps which encircle the slidable clutch member 58, and whichlie in the peripheral groove or channel thereof, and which, it will beunderstood, are not rotative with said slidable member 58. On theclosure of the valve 70 this lever 504 has a descending movement, and,in descending, will exert an inward pull on thefluid-controlling-valve-actuating lever 00, which operation forces thefluid-controlling valve slowly inward, permitting a slow reduction inpressure in the pressure-compartment a and an increase in pressure inthe storage-compartment I), due to the ilowef the fluid from thepressure to the storage compartment.

It will be remembered that as the pressure decreases in the high andincreases in the low pressure compartment a reduction in speed of thefeeder Fresults. The feeder F gradually slows down in its movement untilthe commencement of the poising period, when the movement is very slow,resulting in forcing or feeding into the bucket a very small stream. Atthis point the fluid-controlling valve will beheld temporarilyagainstopening movement, set-hat the feeder may for the moment run at a uniformspeed for the purpose of forcing a drip-strean'i of uniform volume intothe bucket.

The stream-controlling` valve 70 is shown provided with a relativelylong depending rod 500, adapted to be engaged by a suitable stop at thecommencement of the poising period, to thereby hold the valve 70, andhence the fluid-controlling valve 52, through the described connections,against further opening movement. The coperating stop for engaging saiddepending rod 500 is in the nature of a counterweighted by-pass stop570, pivoted for oscillatory movement on the beam B. The upper arm ofsaid by-pass is of such a length relatively to said depending rod 569IOO IIO

as to engage said rod at the commencement of the poising period to holdthe valves 70 and 52 against further movement and to release the same atthe close thereof te permit the further closing movement of the valve 70to cutoff the last portion of the supply-stream and permit also thepushing in of the iiuidcontrolling valve to instantly equalize thepressures in the pressure and storage compartments by the passage orleakage of the fluid from the high to the low pressure compartment. Asuitable stop, as 520, is also provided for maintaining the by-pass 570in an operative position. At the commencement of the poising period thevalve 70 is held as just described, and the fluid-controlling valve 52is also held against inward or opening movement at this time by thedescribed connections. At this point in the operation of the machine theantifriction-roll G is near the end of the cam-face 501, slowly moving'the valve toward the stream-cut-off position. At the time the roll 50Ghas reached the intersection of the cam-faces 501 and 502 the upper armof the by-pass 57 0 will have nearly released the depending rod 500 forpermitting a closing movement of the valve 70. At the close of thepoisin g period this by-pass 570 will release said rod 500, andsimultaneously therewith the roll 500, leaving the camfaee 501 andriding over the cam-face 502, will instantly close the valve 70 forcutting off the drizzle or last part of the drip-stream, an d,descending, will instantly force the slidable member 5S inwardly on itssupport, thereby pushing the Huid-controlling valve inward to permit thepassage of a stream of relatively large volume from thepressure-compartment a to the storage-compartment l) of thespeedmodifier S and an equalization of pressure of the storage andpressure compartments, thus causing a freeing, succeeded by therotation, of the pinion 42 and stoppage of the feeder F. It will beremembered that a latch has been described as normally holding theshiftable member against movement. For releasing this latch I prefer toemploy a releaser device substantially similar to that described inLetters Patent No. 548,840, granted to nie October 20, 1895. Thisreleaser device is illustratcd at SS and has a descendingmovement intoengagement with a proper stop carried by the latch S2. This stop on thelatch is illustrated at 82. IVhen the valve 70 has been held againstclosing movement by the detent 570 described, this releaser device 88 isnearly in contact with the stop S2 of the latch 82. On the release ofthe valve 70 the releaser device SS, operative therewith and having adescending movement on the further closure of the valve, will trip saidlatch 82, when the weight of material resting on the closer L will openthe same, whereby the bucket-load may be discharged.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. In aweighing-machine, the combination cf the bucket, for decreasing thespeed of the feeder.

2. In a weighing-machine, the combination with beam mechanism, of abucket supported thereon; a supply-chute; a feeder for said chute;contiiniously-operative driving mechanism for said feeder; and aspeed-modifier cooperative with the driving mechanism and with thefeeder, for varying the movements of the latter without stopping themovement of the driving mechanism.

3. In a weighing-machine, the combination with beam mechanism7 and witha bucket supported thereon for ascen ding and descending movements; of asupply-chute; a feeder for said supply-clinic, said feeder having aprogressivelydecreasing speed during the descending movement of thebucket; and driving mechanism for said feeder.

+1.. In aweighing-machine, the combination with beam mechanism, and witha bucket supported thereon for ascending and descending movements; of asupply-chute; a feeder embodying a rotatable member; driving mechanismfor said member; and speed-reducingmeans intermediate the drivingmechanism and said rotatable member, operative for reducing the speed ofsaid member during the descent of the bucket.

5. In a weighing-machin e, the combination with beam mechanism, and witha bucket supported thereon for ascending and descending movements; of asupply-chute; a feeder therefor embodying two rolls operativelyconnected by a belt; driving mechanism for one of said rolls; andspeed-reducing means intermediate the driving mechanism and said roll,and operative for reducing the speed of said roll and thereby the feederduring the descending movement of the bucket.

0. In aweighing-machine, the combination with beam mechanism, and with abucket supported thereon for ascending and descending movements; of asupply-chute; a feeder having a variable speed during the descent of thebucket, to thereby feed a stream of material of variable volume to thebucket; a valve operative for cutting off a portion of said stream ofmaterial; and actuatingmechanism for said valve.

7. In a weighing-machine, the combination with beam mechanism, and witha bucket supported thereon for ascending and descending movements; of asupply-chute; a feeder therefor; drivingmechanism for said feeder; and aspeed-modifier cooperative with the driving mechanism and with thefeeder, for reducing the speed of the feeder during the descendingmovement of the bucket and for also stopping the movement of said feederwhen the bucket has reached a predetermined point.

S. In a weighing-machine, the combination IOO IIO

with beam mechanism and a bucket supported thereon; of a supply-chute; afeeder therefor; drivingmechanism forsaid feeder; and a speed-modifierembodying a driven and a movable member; and means for holding saidmovable member against movement, whereby when said member is so held itwill be effective for imparting movement to the driven member.

9. In a weighing-machine, the combination with beam mechanism, and witha b ucket s npported thereon; of a supply-chute; a feeder therefordriving mechanism for said feeder; and a speed-modifier embodying a fastand a movable member, and having the first-inentioned member cooperativewith the feeder; of a fluid-pressure compartment having the pressurethereof capable of acting against said movable member, whereby saidmovable member will be held against movement, and will thereby beeffective for transmitting movement to the fixed member.

10. In a wei ghing-machine,the combination with beam mechanism, and witha bucket supported thereon; of a supply-chute; a feeder therefor;driving mechanism for said feeder; and speed -reducing apparatusembodying comnuinicating fluid-pressure and storage compartments, andfast and loose members operative therein, and having the pressure of thefluid in the press ure-compartment capable of acting against said loosemember, whereby the latter will be held against movement, and wherebywhen so held it will be effective for trai'ismitting movement to saidfixed member, and having said pressure also capable of reduction by theflow of the fluid from the pressure to the communicating storagecompartment.

l1. In a weighing-machine,the combination with beam mechanism and with abucket supported thereon; of a supply-chute; a feeder therefor; drivingmechanism for said feeder; speed-reducing apparatus embodyingcommunicatin g pressure and storage compartments, and fixed and movablemembers operative therein, whereby the pressure of the fluid in thepressure -compartment acting against said movable member will therebyhold it against movement, and whereby it will be effective fortransmitting movement to the fixed member, and having the pressure inthe pressure-compartment reducible bythe flow of the fluid from thepressure to the communicating storage compartment; and a valve forcontrolling the flow of the fluid from the pressure to the storagecompartment.

l2. In a wei ghing-machine,the combination with beam mechanism, and withthe bucket supported thereon; of a supply-chute; a feeder therefor;driving' mechanism for said feeder; speed-reducing apparatus embodyingcommunicating pressure and storage compartments and fast and loosemembers,whereby the pressure of the fluid in the pressure-compartmentacting against said loose member will hold the latter against movement,and whereby when so held said member will be effective for transmittingmovement tothe fixed member, and whereby the pressure of fluid againstsaid loose member will be reduced by the passage of the Huid from thepressure to the communicating storage 'compartment; a valve forcontrolling the flow of the fluid from the pressure to the storagecompartment; and a movable part of the weighing mechanism operativelyconnected with, and for controlling, the movements of said valve.

13. In aweighing-machine, the combination with beam mechanism, and withthe bucket supported thereon; of a supply chute; a feeder; drivingmechanism for said feeder; and speed-reducing means embodyingcommunicating pressure and storage compartments, and fixed and movablemembers, whereby the pressure of the fluid in the pressure-compartmentacting against said movable member will hold the same against movement,to therebytransmit' movement to the fixed member, and whereby thepressure of fluid against said movable member will be reduced by thepassage of the fluid from the pressure to the storage compartment; avalvecylinder having ports communicating with said compartments; avalveoperativein said cylinder for preventing or permitting the flow of thefluid from the pressure to the storage compartment; and actuatingmechanism for said valve.

14. In a weighing-maehine, the combination with beam mechanism, and witha bucket supported thereon; of a supply chute; a feeder therefor;driving mechanism for said feeder; and speed-reducing apparatus embodying communica-ting pressure and storage compartments, and fast and movablemembers, whereby the pressure of fluid in the pressure-compartmentacting against said movable member will hold the same against movement,and whereby when said member is so held it will be effective fortransmitting motion to the fixed member, and whereby the pressure of theiiuid in the pressure-compartment will be reduced by the passage of thefluid from the pressure to the storage compartment; a valve-cylinderhaving tapered ports communicating with each of said compartments and avalve operative in said cylinder for closing and opening said ports,whereby as said valve is opened a stream of gradually-increasing volumewill flow from the pressure to the storage compartment through saidtapered ports; and actuating mechanism for said valve.

l5. In a weighing-machine, the combination with beam mechanism, and witha bucket supported thereon; of a supply chute; a feeder therefor;driving mechanism for said feeder; and speed-reducing means embody- IOOing` communicating pressure and storage compartments and fast andmovable members, and having the pressure of the fluid in the pressurecompartment capable of acting against said loose member, whereby thesame will be held against movement and will be effective for therebytransmitting movement to said fixed member; a valve for controlling theflow of fluid from the pressure to the storage compartment; valveactuating means; and a second port communicating with the storage andwith the pressure compartment, to thereby permit the return flow of thefluid from the storage to the pressure compartment.

I6. In a weighing-machine, the combination with beam mechanism, and witha bucket supported thereon; of a supply chute; a feeder therefor; driving mechanism for said feeder; and speed-reducing means embodyingcommunicating pressure and storage compartments and fast and loosemembers, and having the pressure of the fluid in said pressurecompartment capable of acting` against said loose member to thereby holdthe same against movement, whereby it will be effective for transmittingmovement to the fixed member; a valve having an opening movement topermit the flow of the fluid from the pressure to the storagecompartment, to thereby reduce the pressure in the former;valve-actuating means; and means for holding said valve against openingmovement at a predetermined point in the operation of lthe machine, andfor also releasing said valve, to thereby permit a further decrease inpressure in the pressure-compartment.

I7. In a weighing-machine, the combination with beam mechanism, and witha bucket supported thereon for ascending and descending movements; of asupply-chiite; a feeder theref or; driving mechanism for saidfeeder,where by when said feeder is in motion a stream of material willbe fed from the supply-chute and into the bucket; a stream-controllingvalve operative for cutting off a portion of said stream of material;valve-closin g mechanism therefor; speed-reducing means operative forreducing the speed of the feeder, and embodying communicating pressureand storage compartments, the fluid in which flows from the pressure tothe storage compartment; a fluid-V controlling valve for controllingsaid flow; and means operatively connecting said fluidcontrolling valvewith the stream-con trollin gvalve-'closing mechanism.

I8. In a weighing-machine, the combination with beam mechanism, and witha bucket supported thereon for ascending and descending movements; of asupply-chute a feeder therefor driving mechanism for said feeder; and aspeed-reducer embodying communicating pressure and storage compartmentsand a fixed and movable member, and having the pressure in saidpressure-compartment capable of acting against said movable member, tothereby hold the same against movement,

and having said fluid capable of flowing from the pressure to thestorage compartment; a valve for controlling the flow of the fluid fromthe pressure to the storage compartment; a slidable member operativelyconnected with said valve; a support for said slidable member; and meansoperatively connecting said slidable member with an operative part ofthe machine, whereby when said part descends, said slidable member willbe slid inwardly, thereby opening the valve to permit the flow of thefluid from the pressure to the storage compartment.

19. In a weighing-machine,the combination with a supply-chute, of afeeder therefor; driving mechanism for said feeder and aspeedreducingapparatus, embodying communicating pressure and storagecompartments and fast and movable members, and having the pressure ofthe fluid in the pressure-coinpartment capable of acting against saidmovable member, to thereby hold the same against movement, said fluidbeing also capable of flowing from the pressure-compartment to thestorage-compartment; and a fluid-cup communicating with saidstorage-compartment.

20. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a simply-chute, of afeeder therefor; driving mechanism for said feeder; a hollow,feeder-supporting shaft; and speed-reducing apparatus embodyingcommunicating pressure and storage compartments and fast and movablemembers; and a fluid-cup communicating with the storage -compartment,and supplying fluid thereto through the hollow feeder-supporting shaft.

2l. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a supply-chute, of afeeder therefor; a feeder-supporting shaft; and speed-reducing apparatusrotative about said shaft, and embodyin g fast and movable members, andhaving said fast member carried by said shaft; and means for holdingsaid movable member against movement,whereby it will be effective fortransmitting movement to the fixed member.

22. In a weighing-machine,the combination with a supply-chute, of afeeder therefor; a feeder-supporting shaft; and speed-reducing apparatusrotative about said shaft, and embodying a fixed pinion carried by saidshaft, and a movable pinion meshing therewith; said speed-reducingapparatus also embodying communicating pressure and storagecompartments, and having the pressure of the fluid capable of actingagainst the teeth of said loose pinion, whereby it will be held againstmovement and will thereby rotate said fixed pinion, and also reducibleby the flow of the fluid from the pressure to the Vstorage compartment.

23. In a weighing-machine,the combination with a supply-chute, of afeeder therefor; a feeder-supporting shaft; speed-reducing apparatuscarried by said shaft, and embodying two compartments, separated byabifurcated partition, and having the inner faces IOO IIC)

of the partition curved pinions, one of which constitutes a fixed pinionand is carried by the feeder-supporting shaft, and a movable pinionmeshing therewith, said pinions having a rubbing contact with the curvedfaces of the branches of the bifurcated partition, and having thepressure of the fluid in the pressure compartment capable of acting'against the teeth of the movable pinion, whereby the same will be heldagainst movement, andv will be thereby effective for transmittingmovement to the fixed pinion.

2i. In aweighing-machine,the combination with beam mechanism, and with abucket supported thereon for ascending and descending movements; of asupply-chute; a streamfeeder therefor, and operative for feeding astream of material from the supply-chiite and into the bucket; astream-controlling valve operative for cutting oft' a portion of saidstream of material; a valve-closing lever; speed-reducing meansinvolving` communicating pressure and storage compartments and fixed andmovable members, and having the fluid in the pressure-compartmentcapable of acting against said movable member, whereby it will be heldagainst movement and thereby effective for imparting movement to thefixed member; a valve for controlling the flow of the fluid from thepressure to the storage compartment; and means operatively connectingsaid fluid-controlling valve with the stream-controlling valve, andoperable on the closure of the stream-controlling valve to open thefluid-controlling valve, to thereby permit the fluid to fiow from thepressure to the storage compartment.

25. In a weighing-machine,the combination with beam mechanism, and witha bucket supported thereon; of a supply-chiite; a feeder therefor andoperative for feeding a stream of material from the supply-chute andinto the bucket; a stream-controlling valve operative for cutting off aportion of said stream; a pivotally-supported valve-closing lever;speed-reducing apparatus embodying communicating pressure and storagecoinpartments and fixed and movable members, and having the iiuid in thepressure-compartment capable of acting against said loose member,whereby it will be held against movement, and will be thereby effectivefor imparting movement to the fixed member, and having said fluidcapable also of flowing from the pressure to the storage compartment; avalve having an opening movement for permitting the iiow of the fluidfrom the pressure-eompartment to the storage-compartment; and a leveroperatively connected by the stream-controlling-valve-closing lever withthe fluid-controlling valve, and operative on the closing movement ofthe streamcontrolling valve for opening the tiuid-controlling valve.

FRANCIS H. RICHARDS.

Vitn esses:

FRED. J. DOLE, HENRY BissnLL.

